Paris incident: Armed man takes hostages

At least two people have reportedly been taken hostage in Paris, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported. The French Special Forces have been photographed arriving at the scene.

Police said the incident was not believed to be terror-related.

Videos and images from the scene posted on social media show police officers outside a building in central Paris's Petites Ecuries street, near the rail hub Gare du Nord. Law enforcement officials cordoned off the area.

The hostages are being held in the internal courtyard of the building, which contains a mix of offices and residential apartments.

The police could not confirm to AP whether the hostage-taker is actually armed. But the police source said he had asked to communicate with the Iranian embassy so that they could convey a message to the French government.

One hostage has a head injury, Yves Lefebvre, a police union spokesman, said. Check back for updates.